By: Chef Christopher Miller
When I was very young, someone told me something simple and beautiful: that I was good, that the world was good, and naturally, everything would be good. For a long time, I held tightly to that comforting idea. Then life happened—perhaps symbolized best by the serpent and that infamous bad apple—and reality offered lessons I wasn’t always ready to digest.
But here’s the thing: in my kitchen, just as in life, bad apples don’t make good soufflés. They don’t make good sauces, desserts, or meals—and crucially, bad experiences or bitterness don’t make for a fulfilling life. I’ve learned you can’t carry the bitterness forever, not about apples, not about soufflés, and definitely not about people.
Whoever or whatever introduced the bitterness into your life, there’s a point when you have to move beyond it. Acknowledge it, yes, but don’t let it define you. You need to take the next step, and importantly, you can’t always do this alone. In cooking, as in life, relying on others is not a weakness; it’s strength. The best dishes—and the best moments—are crafted together.
There’s power in needing others. Embrace it, lean on it, and together, let’s create something extraordinary. At Urban Pine Winery, the leadership team embodies this strength—supportive, collaborative, and dedicated to excellence.
Share